Page 661

Amazon’s Newest Building Will Have A Homeless Shelter For 275 People In 2020

December 3, 2019 by Power of Positivity

In early 2020, Amazon’s newest corporate building will open its first homeless shelter for 275 people in Seattle, Washington. Mary’s Place, a charity based in Seattle, is excited to open its Family Center shelter in the city’s downtown next year. When Amazon’s newest headquarters opens next spring, it will house the largest dedicated permanent shelter in the state of Washington.

What will the homeless shelter offer?

The shelter is 63,000 sq. ft. (5,953 sq. m), with room for 275 moms, dads, and kids every single night. Two floors, 30 rooms, will be dedicated to guests For their special Popsicle Place program for homeless families with critically ill children, Amazon will dedicate two floors and 30 rooms. This will triple their current capacity for this special program.

This will be the first time that Mary’s Place will have a dedicated permanent shelter in the city. According to Amazon, it is ‘a shelter strategically designed, inch-by-inch, to maximise space, inspire community and support the dignity of guests in their journey out of homelessness.’

The new building will expand the shelter capacity of Mary’s Place in King County by 50%. Plus, it will help an additional 400 families dealing with homelessness annually in Seattle. The new Family Center is part of Amazon’s $100 million commitment to Mary’s Place, including annual rent and utilities, over the next 10 years.

The shelter will have eight floors, with four used exclusively for sleep. On the other floors, some features available include an industrial kitchen, a children’s play area, and even a dog wash on-site for families with furry friends! Source: Amazon

Additional free features at the shelter

In addition to the sleeping space, the shelter also includes Diversion program sleep spaces, for families who only need light assistance before moving into permanent housing. The shelter will also have the Popsicle Place program mentioned previously.

“Every inch of this space was intentionally designed with thoughtful collaboration between our partners at Amazon, GLY, Seneca, and Graphite, to best support the mission of Mary’s Place, and to get us closer to our goal of no child sleeping outside,” explained Mary’s Place Executive Director Marty Hartman. “This building is equal parts durable, flexible, warm, and welcoming, to ensure that families know that here, they will be respected, they are safe, and they are loved.”

Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, the shelter is very close to services, mass transit, and hospitals and other sources of healthcare. This will help families staying at the shelter to gain access to important services, not to mention that many of the staff members who make the organization run live in the downtown area.

A community effort to create this homeless shelter

Amazon’s downtown neighbors, along with hundreds of workers and other volunteers, will come together to provide the following:

Homework help
Pro bono legal clinics
Resume reviews
Hold events like kid’s dance parties, clothing and baby supply drives, and more.

“A sense of community is what moves these families forward,” explained Hartman.“The building itself and the professional services we provide are important, but genuine relationships with our neighbors—from Amazon employee volunteers, their families, and beyond, is what will ensure these families are able to transform their lives and propel them forward to finding permanent housing. We cannot wait to move in early next year to make even more connections.”

How Amazon has helped Mary’s Place in the past

In April 2016 and 2017, Amazon allowed Mary’s Place short-term use of two vacant buildings on its growing urban campus. Amazon renovated and decorated these buildings and included utilities for more than 200 family members at a time.

In 2017, Amazon granted the shelter 47,000 sq. ft. of space inside the company’s newest headquarters to build a permanent homeless shelter. Since then, the project has expanded to include an extra 16,000 square feet to hold more families. It will also have space for 75 additional temporary beds during weather emergencies.

The shelter is, of course, separate from Amazon’s working space and includes its own private entrances. Builders have also taken care to add soundproofing to the shelter so that they aren’t disturbed by everyday office noise. Amazon has granted this space to Mary’s Place for as long as it needs it.

“This shelter will keep people safe, provide them with nutritious meals, easy access to transit, and allow them to really rest – many of the most important factors to helping families in their transformation. It also helps to have the overwhelming support of the community and feeling of hope. We’re so excited to see the construction come to life and we can’t wait to move in!”

This industrial kitchen will provide 600,000 meals a year. Source: Amazon

Final Thoughts on How a Corporate Giant and a City Will Work Together to Make This Homeless Shelter

Top real estate executive at Amazon, John Schoettler says, “We care about our neighbors, we care about this community. I think the impact of this building is all about inclusivity. Amazon intentionally located its headquarters in the heart of downtown Seattle and by doing so we are intentionally being very inclusive. Outward focus to our neighbors, whether you have a house or you don’t have a house, we’re all neighbors. We’re all in this city together.”

The homeless shelter should inspire other corporate giants and cities to do likewise.

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

10 Ways To Stop Spreading the Common Cold At Work

December 2, 2019 by Power of Positivity

The common cold is among the most prevalent—and quite possibly the most annoying—viral infection that human beings contract. We tend to be stricken with this virus most often in the spring and fall, yet this virus is present year-round. One of the most common places to catch the virus? At work!

According to the Center for Disease Control, common colds account for the most missed time at work and at school, with an astonishing 22 million days lost each year due to uncomfortable symptoms that make it difficult to carry on daily activities. Contrary to popular belief, the common cold is not a single virus, but a cluster of up to 200 different viruses that can all cause sneezing, stuffy noses, scratchy throats, and a general feeling of malaise.

How is a common cold “caught”?

Catching a cold is a surprisingly simple process; viruses that cause common colds are spread by tiny droplets of mucus that hang in the air after a person coughs or sneezes. Cold viruses are also caused by making contact with surfaces that have been touched by others who have the viral infection. If you fail to wash your hands and face regularly, you may be at increased risk for developing a cold.

How long does a typical cold last?

A typical cold takes place in three phases of development:

Stage one

Early symptoms of a cold can begin in as little as 10-12 hours after a person contract the bug. You may notice that your throat feels unusually scratchy and sore, and you may have less energy than you normally do. If an early-stage cold is caught and contained, it is possible to reduce or even eliminate symptoms that would otherwise put you out of commission.

Stage two

2 to 3 days after infection is when symptoms usually peak. At this point, you may develop other symptoms such as:

stuffy or runny nose
sore throat
sneezing
watery eyes
fever
headache
cough

Rest and hydration are essential to reduce the severity of these symptoms, and to recover as you move on to the final phase of your viral infection:

Stage three

As your cold runs the final stage of completion, you’ll continue to battle with your nose–alternating periods of congestion and funniness are not uncommon at this time. You may continue to deal with post nasal drip and coughing as your body actively fights off the infection. Most people are cold-free and symptom-free within two weeks of inception.

We all live, breathe, and work in the same atmospheric soup, and it can be difficult to evade the cold virus completely. If you work in an office or environment with others, it is essential that you safeguard yourself against illness and disease, especially at this time of year when it seems to be at an all-time high.

Follow these simple steps for preventing the spread of common colds at school and at work:

You might feel well enough to report to work, not to mention that you don’t want to burn up your PTO days! However, your co-workers don’t want what you have! Prevent the spread of your virus at work using these 10 strategies.

1. Wash your hands often–as often as needed

Washing your hands after coming in contact with common surfaces, after using the restroom, and before consuming food and drink is the single most important thing you can do to stop the spread of common colds in your workplace.

If you are unable to get to the restroom for regular hand washing, consider carrying some hand sanitizer with you. Use that generously and as needed to safeguard against picking up wayward germs and bacteria that can linger on files, desks, phones, and computer keyboards. If you must share these items, do what you can to clean your hands thoroughly on a regular basis to avoid catching the virus.

2. Avoid touching your face

Your face—specifically your mouth, nose, and eyes, are open gateways to the rest of your body. If contaminated hands are coming near your face, you run the risk of spreading the virus through their contact. Do you have to work nearby someone who’s suffering with a common cold? Or, do you share a public area with someone with this virus? Remain vigilant about not touching your face.

3. Refrain from smoking

Cigarette smoke can irritate your airways and make you more susceptible to disease and infection. Even exposure to passive smoke, when others around you are smoking, makes you more vulnerable to catching a cold. Remove yourself from these situations when your respiratory system could be compromised, and you’ll be less likely to contract something.

4. Use disposable items or keep tight control over your own

It can be tempting to use a cup from the lounge for a quick cup of coffee on break, but do you really know where that cup has been? Using disposable cups, cutlery, and plates will help to reduce potential contact with the virus, and it will prevent you from using contaminated dinnerware. If you must use a regular mug, glass, or plate, consider using your own, and bringing it with you to and from work to reduce the likelihood that it could be subjected to contamination by others.

5. Keep shared surfaces clean

Door knobs, cabinets, keyboards, chairs, and counters are all places where viruses can reside as they are transferred from one person to another. Wipe these surfaces frequently, and use soap and water or a disinfectant solution to eliminate germs from surfaces that many people use during the day.

6. Contain sneezes and coughs as best you can

If you are sick, do your best to contain sneezes and coughs by covering your mouth and nose, and washing hands as needed afterward. Using tissues or paper towels to contain any mucous that may be present will do much for reducing the spread of the virus. If you are using tissues or paper towels, dispose of them promptly after using—leaving them lying around on desktops or placing in pockets will spread germs quickly.

7. Control your stress

Studies show that mental, emotional, and physical stress can compromise the effectiveness of your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness that is floating around. Fortify yourself by practicing self-care, doing some meditation to find your inner calm, and giving yourself the support you need to weather stresses in your life. Stress is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to decrease your quality of life and negatively impact your health.

8. Amping up your zinc and vitamin C intake

Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in nuts, meat, fish, and other foods. Many zinc supplements are on the market today specifically for the purpose of fighting off the common cold–finding and taking one should be standard protocol during cold season.

Adequate vitamin C intake helps to fortify cells, making them more resistant to disease and degeneration. This important vitamin can be found in abundance in citrus foods, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and strawberries. A daily glass of orange juice will do wonders for keeping the cold at bay.

9. Avoid handshakes and high fives…….for now

Handshakes and other forms of professional contact with others may be standard protocol in your office, but they do not have to take place if you are concerned about getting ill. Others will understand your desire to stay well, and many will graciously interact with you minus the physical contact. Instead, opt for an elbow bump.

10. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

One of the most important things you can to do stave off illness during peak times of the year is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthful foods, exercising, drinking enough water, and getting restful sleep are all important elements for keeping your body looking and functioning at its best.

How to treat a cold if you become ill

Not to worry—if you catch a cold, there are several things you can do to reduce the severity of symptoms.

Over the counter medications can help to relieve fever, headaches, and pains. Many standard pain relievers also have cold formulas that work to reduce all symptoms present with common colds.
Decongestants, antihistamines, and expectorants work to eliminate watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, and excess mucous that cause discomfort. Take these medications as directed. And, talk to your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than two weeks.

Avoid these 6 foods if you’re sick from a common cold.

Final Thoughts on Stopping the Spread of the Common Cold at Work

At-home remedies for colds are quite popular as well, and some of them work very effectively. Nasal salines solutions can be used to ease congestion, and honey is very efficient at reducing troublesome cough symptoms, especially at night. Of course, resting and staying hydrated are essential pieces of recovery; give yourself a little TLC, and you’ll find yourself stomping out those symptoms for good.

While viruses are alive and “bugging” us all year long, these tips for preparing for the cold (and flu) season will help you reduce your chances of getting sick. You and the company that you keep at work all deserve to be healthy and happy. So take care of yourselves and each other, and you’ll weather cold season like a champ!

Setting SMART Goals Helps Drive Success, Here’s Why

December 1, 2019 by Power of Positivity

It’s not uncommon for people to begin thinking about their goals throughout life. You might be setting goals for the first time. Or, you might be adjusting previous plans to suit your lifestyle. Either way, the SMART goal setting method will prove useful.

Whether it be saving money, changing careers, working out more, eating healthier, having better relationships, or many other things, goals are an incredibly important aspect of life. They keep you motivated and moving forward. Furthermore, goal-setting helps you to achieve your dreams and provides you with self-confidence when you succeed. Unfortunately, only a staggeringly small percentage of all people who set go.

The author of an article about five habits you need to be successful reported startling findings. They reveal that out of 1,129 people, only 101 of them succeeded in fulfilling their goals for the previous year, with more than 42 percent of individuals reporting that they fail to achieve their goals every year.

But why, exactly, do so many people fail to achieve their goals?

That question leads many to wonder about this phenomenon. Scientists looked into what the people who achieve their goals do differently than those who don’t. Researchers found that successful people follow the principles of goal setting defined by the SMART goals setting theory.

WHAT ARE SMART GOALS?

SMART is an acronym that is used to identify the five main aspects of SMART goals setting. Each letter represents the following aspects of this proven-effective goal setting method: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound. The SMART process of goal setting is an evidence-based technique that many people utilize to advance their careers and dreams. Simply put, using the SMART goals setting method helps people to achieve their goals.

The scientific research surrounding the SMART method tells a lot about what helps people to achieve their goals. And the good news is that every person can reach any realistic goal if they work hard. This legwork includes laying out a plan and following some basic guidelines and steps for successful goal setting and achievement.

It might seem like a lot to take on, but goal-setting does not have to be overwhelming. If you have goals but struggle with knowing where to begin and how to achieve them, you are not alone. Many people feel this way.

Keep reading to learn about the steps you can take to start setting and achieving goals the SMART way, today.

IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF SMART GOALS SETTING

Learn more about the specific aspects of successful goal setting that each letter in the SMART acronym represents, below:

S = Specific:

When determining what you’d like to improve or change about your life, your goals should be specific and clearly stated. Write out each of your goals in language that is easy to understand. Answer the following five “W” questions to determine if your goals are specific enough:

(1) What – What do I want to accomplish?
(2) Why – What are the specific reasons for and benefits of accomplishing this goal?
(3) Who – Who is involved?
(4) Where – What location or locations are involved in accomplishing this goal?
(5) When – What is the timeline for accomplishing this goal, and are there any specific time-sensitive requirements or potential constraints.

M = Measurable:

To know that you have accomplished a goal, you must have discernible and measurable evidence of your progress. The statement of your goal is a broad measure of it. However, there should usually be at least a few, smaller, measurable steps within the overall outcome. To determine if your goal is measurable, answer the following questions. Please note that your answers to each question should be quantifiable. This means that they can be expressed or measured as an amount of something tangible.

(1) How many?
(2) How much?
(3) How will I measure my achievements along the way?
(4) How will I know when I’ve reached the goal?

A = Attainable:

Each goal that you set should be attainable and achievable. Your goals should certainly challenge you and help you to grow and stretch beyond your current abilities. However, your goals should also be well-defined in terms of how, exactly, you will achieve them. You must already possess or know how to obtain the knowledge, skill-sets, and abilities required for achieving your desired outcome. If your goals are unrealistic or impossible, it will demotivate rather than motivate you. To determine if your goal is attainable, answer the following question:

(1) How can this goal be accomplished realistically?
(2) Is it possible, have others done this successfully before me?

R = Relevant:

The benchmarks that you set should be able to produce measurable outcomes that are relevant to your overall goals. Goals that you set should have a purpose or benefit, be important, and matter to you. These are not simply new activities that you want to try; they are lifestyle changes meant to better your life. If you can answer “yes” to each of the following questions, your goal is likely to be relevant:

(1) Is it the right time for this?
(2) Am I the right person to do this?
(3) Does this goal seem worthwhile?
(4) Does this goal align with my overall needs and other goals and efforts?
(5) Is this goal applicable or appropriate given my current socio-economic- and technical environment?

T = Time-bound:

To be successful in achieving your goals, they must have a timeframe that encourages a healthy sense of urgency. Having unrest or tension between your current reality and vision of your life when the goal is achieved is critical. If this tension does not exist, your goal is less likely to produce a relevant outcome or be achieved. To verify that your goal is time-bound answer the following questions:

(1) What can I do today?
(2) What can I do six weeks from today?
(3) What can I do six months from today?
(4) What date should this goal be achieved by?

HOW SMART GOALS SETTING HELPS DRIVE SUCCESS

1- Efficiency

It makes the process of goal setting more efficient and productive, which saves you a ton of time and energy. Furthermore, you define a timeline with an end date. That healthy sense of urgency helps keep you motivated.

2 – Broken into smaller bites

This method breaks a large picture into smaller, more achievable steps. This breakdown provides a figurative roadmap, making the process of achieving your outcome less intimidating and overwhelming.

Also, these smaller bites increase motivation and the rate at which you achieve larger tasks because you can see and measure your achievements. And, it helps keep you engaged and dedicated throughout the long-term process.

3 – More meaningful along the way

Using the SMART method ensures that you will not waste time on goals that are meaningless to your big-picture future. You’ll also make sure outcomes are achievable before you begin.

4 – Pat yourself on the back

The SMART goal method allows you to see and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. This celebration increases motivation and the rate at which you achieve better outcomes because you can see and measure your achievements. Also, you’ll remain motivated if you take time out for an occasional pat on the back.

5 – Specificity challenges you (in a positive way)

Utilizing the SMART goals method requires you to be specific in your goals and also plans to achieve those goals. Several studies prove that being particular in goal setting is beneficial to reaching goals. The authors of this study found that performance and commitment were much better when goals were specific and hard.

6 – What gets written, gets done

It provides you with a solid written plan and guidelines for your process, which aids in holding you accountable. Your written plan also helps to ensure that you do not lose focus on what you are doing to achieve your goals.

The authors of this study evaluated the impact that a written goal-setting program had on struggling college students. Results revealed that students who participated in a written goal-setting program for four months “displayed significant improvements in academic performance.” Whereas members of the control groups who did not write down their goals did not improve in academic performance.

SMART GOALS AND WELLNESS: A SURPRISE BENEFIT

Utilizing the SMART method of goal setting can help patients better recover from major medical trauma and severe health conditions. The authors of one study evaluated the effectiveness of using the SMART method to achieve rehabilitation goals for stroke victims. Their findings show that using the SMART system could “serve as a powerful tool for rehabilitation following stroke.”

Additionally, practicing the SMART goal method helps doctors be more successful in achieving treatment goals for medical patients. A controlled study assessed the impact which utilizing the SMART way had on medical students’ treatment goals for asthma patients. Results revealed that students who used the SMART criteria had significantly higher scores for setting and monitoring patient’s treatment goals.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TODAY TO BEGIN SMART GOALS SETTING FOR SUCCESS

Here are the steps that you can take to define and set your goals utilizing the SMART method of goal setting:

1 – Determine your lifetime goals.

To envision what you want your life to look like in the distant future, you must specify your lifetime goals. These are the most significant, significant achievements that you would like to accomplish in your lifetime. Targets that fall within this category are those that could take a decade or more to achieve. This is because lifetime goals are large-scale objectives that you aim to accomplish to better your long-term future. Accordingly, achieving these goals requires long-term dedication, commitment, and hard work on your behalf.

2 – Determine your long-term goals.

These goals include anything that you can reasonably achieve within three to five years. They are slightly less significant than lifetime accomplishments but still require planning. Long-term goals are commonly broken down into a series of short-term goals that help make the overall goal more manageable.

3 – Determine your short-term goals.

This can be anything that you would like to achieve shortly. These goals are those that can be accomplished tomorrow, in a week, six months, or even a year. Your benchmarks can be the specific steps required for achieving a long-term goal that you have set.

By breaking down a long-term goal into several smaller steps, it makes the goal-reaching process much more manageable. Setting short-term goals for a long-term goal helps you to see and stay focused on the steps you must take to achieve your goals. Doing so also allows you to celebrate your accomplishments along the way, increasing motivation and accomplishment rates.

4 – Write down your goals

Begin following the SMART method as detailed above, and get started on achieving your dreams, today!

Read these 15 quotes about success from college football legends for more inspiration.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON SMART GOALS SETTING FOR SUCCESS

As you have learned, using the SMART method for setting goals can help drive success in achieving your goals. Quite a few scientific studies have revealed increased success in goal setting and performance when the SMART method is followed. This is because this method helps you to specify, define, and develop a specific plan-of-action, which keeps you accountable. Using the SMART method moves you forward in goal-achieving and regulates the amount of time that you spend on tasks. It is also set up in ways that allow you to track and celebrate your progress along the way. By defining and achieving measurable goals in the process of reaching the overall goal, you’ll know you’re on the path.

In addition to utilizing the SMART method for goal setting and achieving, several other daily habits predict success. By practicing habits that predict success and using the SMART technique of goal setting, you’ll have a higher chance of succeeding. But the amount of time, effort, and energy that you dedicate to achieving your goals and dreams are important, too. Nothing is impossible. However, achieving great things requires hard work, dedication, and can take time. But by employing the SMART goal method, you will know that you are working smarter instead of harder when it comes to setting and achieving your goals.

30 Awesome Side Effects of Self Love

December 1, 2019 by Chris Butler

Believe it or not, self-love and self-care aren’t about being self-centered and selfish. It’s not about a “me, me, me” mentality. And it’s certainly not about fighting against the world to express ourselves or to get what we want. Self-love and self-care are about loving ourselves for who we are and taking the time to care for ourselves. What would you love about yourself if there was no little voice of self-doubt buzzing around your ear? How would you care for yourself physically and mentally with unlimited amounts of time?

Self-love and self-care are about owning our own power, acting from a place of kindness toward ourselves, and taking the time to remind ourselves of the power of kindness. Both are essential to living a happy and healthy life.

So what is selfish about that?

Here are 30 awesome things that happen when we practice self-love in our daily lives.

When we love and care for ourselves, we can:

1 – Achieve self-acceptance

We stop comparing ourselves to others and participating in a self-made competition. As a result, we’ll always be enough.

2 – Reduce our chance of becoming depressed

We lower our risk for depression, anxiety, hypertension, heart attacks, and other heart-related problems.

3 – See things for what they really are

We embrace our reality and stop blaming and fighting it. Only once we can see things clearly can we problem-solve and create an action plan that will propel us forward.

4 – Find a partner to love

We can be sure that love is around every corner. But to receive love, we must first be capable of giving love. And, the act of love starts within ourselves.

5 – Accept the abundance in life

We start living a life of abundance in every area of our lives, without the need to fight or push to get it. Loving ourselves enables us to shed a scarcity mindset that inhibits the flow of good things coming to us.

6 – Foster self-growth

We allow for growth to occur in our lives. The more we grow, the more we spread love and joy. We cannot share positive messages until we wholeheartedly believe in ourselves, first.

7 – Recharge our batteries

We become energized to get back to living, loving, caring, helping, and serving. And, those actions pave the way to an open heart that will give and receive even more blessings in life.

8 – Become our own best friend

We feel safe in knowing that we can navigate skillfully through life’s journey. There’s a certain comfort that stems from knowing that you are okay with being self-sufficient and serving as your own best friend.

9 – Adopt an open mind

We practice more love and acceptance of others. Of course, this openmindedness leads to enlightenment and new opportunities in our lives.

10 – Take comfort in knowing that setbacks are temporary

It takes grit, determination, and a healthy dose of self-confidence to overcome the challenges in life. When we practice self-love, we know failures and setbacks get us one step closer to growth.

11 – Learn our significance in life

Because self-love boosts confidence, we know our significance isn’t dependent on what we produce. Instead, we base our significance on our role in the lives of others. Regardless of social status, looks or profession, we learn that we hold an important part in the lives of those who love us.

12 – Understand that we don’t need to answer to anyone else

Self-love allows us to gain an understanding that we don’t need to ask permission from another person to behave in a certain way. Because we grow our self-confidence by showing ourselves love, we can move boldly and make the right call.

13 – Become more poised individuals

Self-care sends a message to our inner self that we are worth the time and energy it takes to take care of our bodies. As a result, we come to know that we’re enough and don’t need to prove ourselves.

14 – We grow in our interpersonal relationships

Because we take time to care for our own well-being, we regain the energy we need to pour into interpersonal relationships. This fact means we successfully get along better with co-workers, partners, friends, and family members. We create significant relationships with more harmony, peace, and space.

15 – Accepting of alone time

Self-care is time carved out specifically to take care of our own physical and emotional needs. Thus, we are not focused on loneliness during this time. Instead, we embrace a deeper connection and oneness with the world.

16 – Understanding and acceptance of our unique opportunities for growth

Self-love and self-care give us time for self-reflection. Through these practices, we synthesize our daily challenges. Moreover, we welcome the chance to overcome those obstacles by identifiying areas in which we can grow.

And, we are okay with that. In fact, we feel at peace by accepting ourselves, our strengths, and our weaknesses unconditionally.

17 – Improve in our role as “caretaker”

Only after we master taking care of ourselves can we become better caretakers for others with our refreshed spirit.

18- Identify our vulnerabilities

Self-love means loving ourselves. Regardless of our faults or perceived shortcomings, we learn forgiveness. Through that clarity, we accept the mistakes and failures that come along with being human, inviting vulnerability into our lives.

19 – Know that our opinion of ourselves is the only one that really matters

Self-care opens up a deeper connection with our own inner beings. In time, we don’t care what others think or say about us because we know what matters is how we feel about ourselves.

20 – Grow in resilience

We are more resilient and able to take on any challenge life throws our way, seeing these challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

21 – Take strides to be our best selves

We allow our natural shine to easily show itself.

22 – Increase our problem-solving skills

We become better problem solvers because we tend to see the world more clearly.

23 – Create joy that radiates from the inside

We take responsibility for our lives, realizing that we are the source of all happiness. Joy is not an external factor. It starts in our soul and radiates out. In fact, it even permeates to those around us and helps inspire others.

24 – Map the road to future success

We hold the power to alter our futures, careers, relationships, passion, compassion, empathy, and authenticity. The key to success is inside us. By providing compassion to ourselves, we learn how to reach our goals.

25 – Conquer our fears

Self-care and self-love awaken us to the power inside of our beings. Once we love ourselves, we are not controlled by fear because we recognize love as the strongest power.

26 – Identify our life purpose

Until you love yourself wholeheartedly, it’s difficult to know why we exist. Once we tap into our deepest thoughts, we begin to know what our purpose is. Then, we can live our authentic life with our purpose as a driving force.

27 – Gain the ability to “agree to disagree”

We will accept when someone disagrees with us and will not worry about these disagreements as we recognize everyone is entitled to their own views. Instead, we will agree to disagree and remain on friendly terms.

28 – Take ownership of our mistakes

An important part of self-love is the ability to forgive mistakes. Therefore, we replace blame, shame, and anger with ownership and creation.

Then, we realize that there is no truth in our stressful thoughts and turn them around by inviting stillness into our lives.

29 – Tap into our creativity

We become more creative, inspired, and open. Perhaps we can even rekindle a long-forgotten activity that brings us joy.

For example, your inner child might still long to play the piano but your adult self denied this ambition. Giving yourself permission to tap into that creativity can release stress and become a source of inspiration to you again.

30 – Become an inspiration

Others see the changes in us when we love ourselves. Thus, we inspire others to love and care for themselves.

Final Thoughts on Self-Love and Self-Care

Treat yourself to some self-care and self-love. The changes you’ll awaken will come from deep inside you. And the changes you’ll set into motion will lead you to greater things in the future.

Researchers Reveal That Many Heart Procedures May Not Be Necessary

November 30, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Are we overdoing it with heart procedures?

Coronary heart disease can strike at any time due to several lifestyle factors, but we consistently make life choices, which increase our odds of developing it.

According to the American Heart Association, coronary heart disease killed 13% of people in 2016. In fact, coronary heart disease, along with strokes and hypertension, is the #1 cause of death in the United States.

While not 100% preventable, we all know the risk factors associated with it. However, we sometimes choose to indulge in habits that can contribute to it. Furthermore, this often leads many to seek care from physicians. That care may take the form of dietary and lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, or surgeries. In a recent study, however, researchers reveal that many heart procedures may not be necessary.

What is Coronary Heart Disease?

You might have heard coronary heart disease, also called ischemia. The American Heart Association defines it as a condition in which the arteries to your heart are narrowed by plaque, causing a restriction in blood and oxygen flow.

There is ischemia heart disease and silent ischemic heart disease. The main difference between the two is that silent ischemia will not necessarily result in chest pains or angina as a warning. In fact, patients may suffer small heart attacks and not be aware of it. Ischemia, on the other hand, does demonstrate physical symptoms but may have silent ischemia occurring additionally. Those most susceptible to silent ischemia have diabetes and a previous history of heart attacks.

3 Types of Ischemia or Coronary Heart disease

There are three different kinds of ischemia:

1 – Obstructive Coronary Artery disease:

Arteries are blocked by 50% or more due to a build-up of plaque, or atherosclerosis, in the large arteries leading to the heart. The plaque builds up, causing the arteries to narrow over time, decreasing oxygen and blood flow.

2 – Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease:

The name is a bit misleading as arteries are still obstructed but by 50% or less. 20-50% of people who have heart imaging performed have non-obstructed coronary artery disease. While in many cases, it occurs due to a build-up of plaque, it can also stem from an illness or injury to the large arteries.

This impact will affect the ability of the arteries to expand when receiving the usual stimuli. When the inner walls to the arteries are damaged, they may spasm, causing a reduction in the amount of blood allowed through to the heart at that time.

3 – Coronary microvascular disease:

As the name implies, the tiny arteries of the heart are affected when molecular changes occur to the micro arteries, preventing blood from flowing through them. This can be a stand-alone condition or in tandem with obstructive or non-obstructive coronary heart disease. A change is created in the molecular structure of the artery, causing a lack of proper response to stimuli, which prevents the arteries from expanding. This condition stems from:

1. A released blood clot from surgery sticking to a smaller artery
2. Normal aging process
3. Damage to the micro-arteries from high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic inflammation

What are the factors that increase the risk of ischemia?

There is a multitude of factors that can contribute to causing coronary heart disease or ischemia.

1 – Daily or lifestyle habits:

1. Smoking or consistent exposure to second-hand smoke
2. Lack of exercise
3. Eating too many foods containing saturated or trans fats
4. Stress

2 – Age (especially true for women)

1. Risk increases after the age of 45 – more so for men, unless the woman is post-menopausal.
2. Women increase their risk after the age of 55 due to lack of estrogen

3 – Environment and Work-related hazards

1. Older women, diabetics and the obese have a risk factor if they are in an area of high air pollution
2. Toxins or radiation that you may be around at work
3. Chronic sitting or lack of movement while at work
4. High-stress jobs
5. Any job which is so demanding that you can’t sleep properly

4 – Family History or genetics

1. Family members, particularly men, receiving a diagnosis of heart disease before age 55
2. Women who received a diagnosis of heart disease before age 65

5 – Being Female with specific history or current conditions

1. Diabetes
2. Endometriosis
3. Gestational diabetes
4. HIV
5. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
6. Preeclampsia – while it occurs during pregnancy, it increases your risk of ischemia for your lifetime.

Typical treatments for ischemia

Treatments for ischemia may depend upon related health issues and the severity of the blockage(s). Preferably, you have time to make changes that don’t require medication, procedures, or surgery. The doctor’s advice will depend upon how early you receive a diagnosis and the amount of time you have to correct it.

1 – Lifestyle changes:

Regardless of the time frame or progression of ischemia, making changes to your habits will always come first and are used in conjunction with other treatments.

1. Quit smoking
2. Change your eating habits
3. Exercise
4. Take supplements
5. Learn to manage and decrease stress
6. Lose excess weight
7. Quit drinking excessively
8. Get high-quality sleep

2 – Medications:

More often, a person has developed additional health issues that may require medication to get them under control immediately. Medicine does not need to be lifelong if you are additionally working on improving your daily health habits.

Medication for diabetes or blood sugar irregularities
Blood pressure medication
Cholesterol limiting medication
Remedy for angina or chest pains
Aspirin to thin blood for prevention of blood clots
Nitroglycerin pills or patches to address chest pain

3 – Heart Procedures:

When the doctor has determined that a more aggressive approach is necessary for faster or immediate help, then specific procedures will be considered.

Angioplasty and stent placement: This requires a tube to be inserted into the affected artery. A thin wire containing a deflated balloon passes through the tunnel. The balloon inflates, expanding the artery and pressing the plaque against the artery walls. After the plaque is compressed, a stent is placed in the artery to help it remain open.
Coronary artery bypass surgery: You might also hear this called coronary artery bypass grafting. It entails using arteries from other areas in your body, primarily your leg, and surgically placing it to take the place of the blocked artery.

Are heart procedures necessary or effective?

A national study, called ISCHEMIA, was recently published in clinicaltrials.gov. ISCHEMIA was an acronym for the International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness with Medical and Invasive Approaches. Of course, the acronym also related to the focus of the study, which was to determine the effectiveness of procedures vs. medication for the treatment of stable coronary heart disease or ischemia.

The study involved 5179 volunteers who had demonstrated mild to moderate ischemia based on stress tests. The researchers split the volunteers into two groups of equal numbers. One group went through either angioplasty with stent placement or coronary artery bypass surgery to aid them in their ischemia while also on medication. The second group only went through angioplasty without a stent placed with a higher focus on lifestyle changes and medication.

The purpose of the study was to determine heart procedure outcomes over four years:

Which prompted a decrease in angina symptoms
What factors caused hospitalization of patients with symptoms of angina
Which patients resulted in having a heart attack
Of the patients that had heart attacks, which they were able to resuscitate
Which patients had a higher mortality rate

The results came back mixed in the short term benefits vs. the long term. Those who underwent invasive treatment showed a slightly higher chance of a heart attack in the first year but lowered odds in 4 years. Both options demonstrated little difference between medication and procedures for preventing heart attacks, heart-related deaths, or hospitalization related to heart conditions. The invasive procedure did show to be more beneficial in reducing pain for those with frequent angina or chest pain.

The ultimate conclusion was that patients with stable heart conditions, not experiencing frequent chest pain or angina, should not rush into having an invasive procedure. Instead, doctors should allow for more time with medication and lifestyle changes and be more patient.

Final thoughts on heart procedures and their necessity

Having a potentially life-threatening procedure is very scary. However, possibly dying in your sleep due to an underlying heart condition is equally terrifying. Frequently, we rely on the experience of our physician to advise us as to the risks and benefits involved, and its actual necessity. It is also essential that we respect the healing powers of our bodies. Make a choice to make better choices about a eating heart healthy diet, exercise, and smoking, rather than seek a supposed ‘quick fix’ for an issue that took 20+ years to develop.

Indeed, researchers did reveal that many heart procedures may not be necessary. And, in actuality, they may exasperate the problem within the first year. So make sure to get multiple opinions regarding any heart procedure based on your condition and genuinely do your part to change your lifestyle as a preventative measure to any procedure.

12 Dream Meanings That Most Men Miss

November 30, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Dream meanings can range from silly to insightful. While there’s no agreement on the different types and what they represent, there have been enough studies on the subject to know that there’s a definite link between thoughts and dreams.

Men don’t always realize this. They don’t always examine and interpret their dreams as women do, but they’re missing out. Men can benefit from dream analysis just as much as everyone else!

If you’re a man who has been thinking about your dreams, here are 12 common themes and what they might mean for you.

12 Dream Meanings Than Men Often overlook

1. Teeth Problems

If you dream about your teeth falling out, it isn’t a sign that you need to go to the dentist. It’s a sign that you lack in confidence about something.

Our teeth are one of the first things that people notice about us. That’s why the teeth whitening industry is worth billions of dollars, and it’s why everyone fears lettuce getting stuck in their teeth while on dates.

The quality of your smile says something about you, so if you dream about cracked, yellowed or missing teeth, it probably has less to do with your oral hygiene and more to do with an unresolved issue in your life that’s causing self-esteem problems.

2. Women

It’s common for men to dream about women, but the meaning isn’t always related to dating or relationships. In fact, many dreams about women have nothing to do with Marvin Gaye at all.

Since men are socialized to bury their emotions, they might dream about a woman expressing the feelings that they can’t or don’t want to show. For example, a crying woman might represent their urge to cry about something, or a stressed woman might be dealing with the pressure and anxiety that they’re facing in their own life.

These dream meanings exist because women are “allowed” to show emotions in ways that men are not. If your subconscious needs to work through something, it might use a woman as a proxy. It’s strange but true!

3. Dark Figures

Dark figures are most commonly seen in nightmares. They might take the form of monsters, shadows, strangers, or just malevolent energy, and they might chase you down or sit still and watch you.

Despite their humanoid appearance, dark figures aren’t usually related to people. They represent fear and uncertainty in your emotional state. If you’re worried about the future, for example, you might see a shadow looming over you, and your brain puts it into a human shape because that’s the most common shadow in your everyday life.

It’s easy to misinterpret or misunderstand dark figures. Make sure that you’re cataloging them correctly if they show up in your dreams.

4. Hair

Men often dream about hair. It’s usually hair loss, and they wake up in a cold sweat and start researching baldness, but some guys dream about cuts, colors, and styles. A few unlucky fellows even dream about waiting in a hard plastic chair for their girlfriend to finish her salon appointment!

Hair dreams are a lot like teeth dreams. These images tie to our concept of “self,” so lousy hair can represent issues with vanity, masculinity, and overall confidence.

Try not to overthink hair dreams, however. They don’t have to mean anything more than a bad day or an insecure feeling about something. They usually go away as soon as the problem does.

5. Being Chased

This dream is more common for women than men, but both genders experience it. It’s also the frequent subject of misinterpretation.

For example, did you know that chasing dreams can be a good thing? They aren’t necessarily nightmares where you’re trying to evade a pursuer. They can be signs that you’re ready to tackle a problem, jump over a hurdle, or move forward in your life. The fact that you’re being chased is just your brain, giving you a little nudge to get started.

If you have dreams about running or fleeing from something, it might be time to invoke a more positive mindset.

6. Dreams About the Past

Maybe it’s an old teacher from elementary school. Perhaps it’s a house that you hadn’t lived in for years or a job that you used to have when you were a teenager.

These blasts from the past aren’t necessarily the product of nostalgia. For example, you might dream about a neighbor that you hated. It doesn’t mean that you want to return to your old house and deal with his 8 AM lawn mowing again!

Dreams about the past are usually related to your mindset. Have you been falling back into old habits? Do you fear that something new in your life will take you a step back? Are you worried about the future in any way?

7. Meeting a Celebrity

You did it! You finally met LeBron James! Unfortunately, it was only in a dream.

This is another one of those dream meanings where there’s more than what meets the eye. While you might think that you have football on the brain after game night, celebrity dreams often tap into our inner desires for love, fame, recognition, and success.

Think about it. You probably didn’t dream about the celebrity being rude to you. They were either a positive or neutral figure.

If you see the stars in la-la land, you should take stock of how you’re feeling in everyday life. Is your girlfriend ignoring you? Are you undervalued or underappreciated at work? Why are you dreaming about being noticed by famous people?

8. Hands

Hands have all sorts of dream meanings.

On the positive side, they can represent usefulness, productivity, and getting things done. They’re a sign that you’re working hard even in your sleep.

On the negative side, hands often tie into themes of guilt and shame. For example, washing your hands might represent unresolved feelings of being dirty or doing something wrong.

You’ll need to consider all possibilities when dissecting the meaning of hand dreams. Think about their tone and emotional resonance before you draw any conclusions. Dreams aren’t always cut-and-dried experiences, so you should avoid assigning cut-and-dried meanings to them, especially when their symbols are flexible.

9. Nudity

Most people have had a dream about nudity at some point. The classic example is giving a speech without realizing that you’re naked, but you might also lose clothes, forget to wear things, or suffer from wardrobe malfunctions.

These embarrassing dreams usually come from a feeling of vulnerability. You’re physically naked but metaphorically dealing with emotions like fear, anxiety, or being exposed.

Some dreams about nudity can be positive things. In these cases, they represent freedom and not caring what others think.

Which kind of dream did you have? Did you wake up feeling ashamed or liberated?

10. Electronic Devices

If you’re dreaming about phones, radios, and televisions, you’re probably having problems with communication. All of these gadgets are ways that human beings talk to each other, so a static radio or broken television can be symbolic of a damaged relationship without any communication.

Another possibility is that your subconscious is trying to send you a message. If you’re avoiding a problem and your dream is about an involved party calling you over and over again, it doesn’t take a genius to realize the correlation.

It might benefit you to simplify your life for a while. Unplug your tech and get away from all of those screens. Once your mind clears up, your dreams should follow.

11. Heights

Heights are another dream symbol with multiple meanings. If you’re feeling good about your life, they can represent health, happiness, success, and achievement. You’ve climbed a mental mountain and come out on top.

If you’re going through a rough patch, however, heights can be the set-up for falls. Mountains can represent obstacles instead of opportunities.

You’ll need to be careful when analyzing the meaning of height dreams. Since they’re such a broad and versatile theme, you might want to do some additional research before you start drawing conclusions.

12. Dream Within a Dream

Have you ever been aware that you’re dreaming even though you’re still asleep? Have you ever controlled your thoughts, or has your brain ever puzzled over dream meanings also while the dream was still taking place?

These are all examples of lucid dreaming, and it’s a phenomenon that can be quite useful when you’re trying to understand the symbolism of your subconscious mind. Instead of being forced to endure a dream like a movie that you can’t shut off, you can control the narrative and work through your issues in a safe, creative space where anything is possible.

Don’t shy away from lucid dreaming. Embrace it. Use tips and tricks to make it happen more often. It can be a great way to take control of your nightly slumber.

Final Thoughts on Understanding Dream Meanings for Men

Dream interpretation is both an art and a science, and it’s still being perfected every day. These are just a few potential dream meanings out of hundreds. Don’t be afraid to do more research and find other meanings for your dreams!

15 Oprah Winfrey Quotes About Success

November 30, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Looking at Oprah Winfrey, now you see a confident, empowered, successful woman. But Oprah Winfrey did not always sit at the top of a media empire. She has much more humble roots, and she was denied things and failed at things for many years before she reached the success she enjoys now.

This lady is someone who worked her way up from beginning with nothing. In addition, she is someone who has had to reinvent herself more than once along the way. Thus, Oprah Winfrey knows a thing or two about what it takes to achieve success. Here are lessons we can learn based on quotes she has given about finding a path to your dreams in business, relationships, and life.

15 Quotes About Success from Oprah Winfrey

1 – “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance — and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.”

There is so much more to being successful than just reaching your main goal in your life. There are small things that will happen along the way to making that big dream possible. Take the time to acknowledge those small things, celebrate them as they happen, and remind yourself that every step forward is a step closer to that final goal. Little victories will mean a lot to you as they keep you positive and motivated along the way.

2 – “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.”

It isn’t egotistical to believe you can succeed in life. By holding onto the belief that you will reach your goals and fulfill your dreams, you are keeping your mind positive. You will find that your heart opens to everything along your path. If you don’t believe you can achieve happiness, you won’t be able to push yourself to reach your goals. Don’t let yourself fall into that kind of negative mindset. Let yourself picture your life with all of the prosperity that you could want.

3 – “You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job and not be paid for it.”

No one is saying you should do your job for free. However, if you see it as a vocation instead of just a job, a lifetime career instead of something to get you through right now, you are succeeding. If the opposite is accurate, and you find yourself dreading each day at your job, you need to move onto a different path.

4 – “The choice to be excellent begins with aligning your thoughts and words with the intention to require more from yourself.”

Never stop asking yourself for more. Don’t become complacent just because you’ve achieved a certain level of accomplishment. If you could reach one goal, you could undoubtedly reach another. Once you stop pushing yourself, you start losing the momentum you’ve gained in life. There are always more things to dream about in life, even once you’ve reached some of your goals. Keep pushing yourself, keep expecting more from your life, and keep reaching for new things.

5 – “If you are still breathing, you have a second chance.”

Humans fail. They fail at classes. And they fail at relationships, they fail at jobs. It’s important to realize that, while humans fail, they also win. Just because something hasn’t worked out the way you want it to, doesn’t mean you should give up entirely. Instead, it means you should learn from your mistakes, figure out a new plan, and continue on your quest to fulfill your dreams.

6 – “So go ahead. Fall down. The world looks different from the ground.”

While it would be great to get from point A to point B in life along a smooth and straight path, that never really happens. There will always be times where things don’t go as planned. There will be times that you feel depressed and ready to give up. The important thing is to not fall prey to those kinds of thoughts. Take a bit of time to mourn what didn’t work out, then figure out a new way to achieve your goals.

7 – “What material success does is provide you with the ability to concentrate on other things that really matter. And that is being able to make a difference, not only in your own life but in other people’s lives.”

What do you do once you’ve become successful? Do you celebrate reaching your goals by closing yourself away in an ivory tower? Or do you take your achievement and use it to help others? Plenty of people will most likely help you along your way. You should do the same for others when you get the chance. Give back to your community. Donate your time, money, and resources to worthy causes. Spend time mentoring others and making sure that they achieve their goals just like you did.

8 – “Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.”

Failure happens. Not just once. Not just twice. Throughout your life and your pursuit of your goals you will fail. But you can’t let your failure stop you from achieving your success. You have to get yourself together and try again until you make success happen. As much as failure can disappoint you, you have to be willing to move past it. Figure out why it happened and how to keep it from happening the next time. And then try again and again and again until you succeed.

9 – “The big secret in life is there is no secret. Whatever your goal. You can get there if you’re willing to work.”

Successful people like Oprah Winfrey may make everything look easy, but the truth is it took hard work to get where they are. They had to make plans and follow through with tough tasks and constantly make tough decisions. If you want to live a successful life as she does, you need to be willing to work hard for it. You can’t just wait for good things to happen to you. So you have to go out and make them happen for yourself. You need to push yourself and take chances and never stop figuring out how to get where you want to be.

10 – “Don’t worry about being successful but work toward being significant and the success will naturally follow.”

What kind of impact do you want to make in the world? How do you want to be remembered? What kind of significance do you want to have? People like Oprah Winfrey figure that out and shape their life goals around it. Becoming successful can be a great by-product of becoming significant. Being significant does not necessarily mean famous. It means that you create an impact on the world around you, in a small, impactful way or a large one.

11 – “The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change their future by merely changing their attitude.”

Take an honest, deep, hard look at yourself. Do you feel entitled to happiness? Do you feel afraid of success? Or, do you feel like victory will never be yours? If you don’t have the right attitude you will make things much tougher on yourself in the long run. You need to adjust your feelings to work with your goals. And don’t just work on them once and expect that to be it. Reassess your attitude on a regular basis to make sure you are where you need to be in that regard.

12 – “You can have it all. Just not at once.”

If you think being successful means running a company, being a great full-time parent, going on lots of vacations, and having tons of money in the bank, you may be leading yourself toward disappointment. If you focus your life on one thing, it will be hard to be as successful in other things. That doesn’t mean you can’t have other things. It just means you may need to focus on one main goal at a time and be okay with not doing quite as well with the other goals you have.

13 – “Often we don’t even realize who we’re meant to be because we’re so busy trying to live out someone else’s ideas. But other people and their opinions hold no power in defining our destiny.”

If you spend all of your time worrying about how others perceive you, you won’t have time to fulfill your dreams. You can’t let the judgments of others slow you down in your path or stop you from doing what you need to do to reach your goals. The only person whose opinion matters is your own.

14 – “I was once afraid of people saying, ‘Who does she think she is?’ Now I have the courage to stand and say, ‘This is who I am.’”

Again, you can’t let others define who you think you are or stop you from being the person you want to be. If you’ve taken stock of your strengths and weaknesses and not found yourself wanting, you should be proud of yourself and your self-acceptance. Many people spend their lives so busy trying to live up to other people’s standards that they don’t ever reach their own. Don’t be like those people. Embrace yourself for who you are, and use that self-confidence to reach your dreams.

15 – “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you – always.”

Your path always begins and ends in the same place – with you. You determine your goals. You work to achieve them. And even if you come from a humble background that makes it harder to seek a successful path, push yourself and find a road. It can still happen. Others may help you in big or small ways along your path, but ultimately the only person that can get you to the endpoint is you.

Final Thoughts on Oprah Winfrey’s Mindset of Success

Undoubtedly, Oprah Winfrey started with only a dream and determination. Her unparalleled work ethic and drive for success earned her a status unrivaled by most businesspeople. Not known to rest on her laurels, she’s reputed to be the first one to arrive at her office and the last one to leave–to this day! If you are working towards a specific goal, tear a page out of Oprah’s playbook and blaze your own trail.

17 Inspirational Quotes About Overcoming Failure

November 30, 2019 by Power of Positivity

It happened. You failed. You poured your energy into something, and it didn’t work out. The good news is that your failure does not have to be in vain. There are lessons that you can take from this experience, and there are positive attitudes that you can turn into positive outcomes. Here are just a few inspirational quotes about overcoming failure and making your dreams come true despite everything!

Inspirational Quotes When You Hope to Overcome the Sting of Failure

1. “The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.”

— Henry Ford

Mistakes are an inevitable part of life. You can’t control them. However, you can learn from them, and you can make sure that you never make the same mistake twice. With this mindset, you can turn failures into valuable learning opportunities that will serve as a foundation for your future goals.

2. “Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row.”

– Vitas Gerulaitis

Vitas Gerulaitis is a tennis player who repeatedly lost to a rival named Jimmy Connors. He suffered 16 defeats in a row! Instead of being angry, however, he maintained a positive attitude that eventually made headlines. When he finally triumphed over the other player, he declared, “Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row.” It went down in history as one of the funniest inspirational quotes ever heard in the tennis world.

3. “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”

– Jack Canfield

Failing can leave lasting scars. It’s understandable, but it’s also something that you need to work through and overcome. You’re never going to achieve success unless you’re willing to risk failure, so get back on the horse and try again. Start another business. Make another proposal. Date someone new. Tomorrow’s happiness is dependent on today’s courage.

4. “When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel.”

– Eloise Ristad

Is your fear of failing actually a fear of succeeding? Some people can sabotage themselves without even realizing it. The thought of success makes them nervous, but they wrap it up in fears of rejection and defeat until they’ve talked themselves out of even trying. Don’t be this kind of person! Keep your energy nice and positive, and this karma will return to you. You get from the world what you put into it.

5. “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

– Michael Jordan

No one would suggest that Michael Jordan is a bad basketball player just because he’s messed up a few games. If you can build a successful empire, no one will care about your early mistakes either. They’ll just be footnotes in your story. They won’t define you, and they won’t stop you from achieving your ultimate goals and dreams.

6. “It’s failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.”

– Ellen DeGeneres

You’ve probably read inspirational quotes about the importance of perspective. You can’t appreciate happiness unless you’ve been sad; you can’t appreciate friendship unless you’ve been lonely. The same is true of success. You can’t fully grasp its magnitude unless you’ve also felt the sting of its counterpart, so think of this period of your life as the “before” that makes the “after” worth it.

7. “If you set your goals ridiculously high and it’s a failure, you will fail above everyone else’s success.”

– James Cameron

“Shoot for the moon, and even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” This is a classic piece of advice that’s been shared by many people in many industries, and it endures because it’s true.

While there’s something to be said about making small, actionable goals, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big about your overall future. Aim high. Go nuts. Who’s going to know your innermost thoughts but you?

8. “An inventor fails 999 times, and if he succeeds once, he’s in. He treats his failures simply as practice shots.”

– Charles F. Kettering

This logic isn’t limited to inventors. It can apply to work, school, relationships, business opportunities and more. You might date a dozen people before you find your soulmate and live happily ever after; you might experiment with a bunch of diets until one finally sticks and the weight comes off. The detours won’t matter once you find the right path and follow it to your destination.

9. “Giving up is the only sure way to fail.”

– Gena Showalter

You can’t be certain of success. You can be certain of failing, however, if you don’t even try. And you can’t win a competition without entering it; you can’t get a job without applying for it. Gather your courage, look at some inspirational quotes to bolster your confidence and start overcoming all of the obstacles in your way!

10. “The master has failed more times than the beginner has tried.”

– Stephen McCranie

Think about someone you admire. How many times have they failed? It’s probably a lot. The artist has wasted a lot of canvasses; the karate instructor has missed a lot of punches. Instead of giving up, they adjusted their techniques and kept going, and that’s exactly what you should do as well.

11. “Failure is delay, not defeat.”

– Denis Waitley

Failures don’t have to be permanent. In fact, if you’re living a life of excitement and innovation where you’re constantly taking risks, trying new things and expanding your horizons, you probably fail quite a bit! These setbacks don’t have to be dark landfills where you languish forever. They can be temporary stepping stones on your road to success.

12. “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

– Albert Einstein

Some people spend their entire lives inside of their comfort zones. They never fail, but they never learn, grow, achieve or earn things. They never have the kind of story that inspires others. Is this how you want to live, or do you think that you have more to offer the world?

13. “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”

– Lance Armstrong

As an athlete, Lance Armstrong was talking about physical pain, but his words can also apply to psychological resilience. If you’ve failed at something in your life and are wondering whether it’s worth the effort to try again, the answer is yes. These negative feelings that you’re experiencing can be replaced by new ones. No emotion has to be permanent.

14. “I’d rather be partly great than entirely useless.”

– Neal Shusterman

One of our favorite inspirational quotes comes from Voltaire: “Perfect is the enemy of good.” If you’re obsessed with the idea of doing something perfectly, you might psych yourself out and never do it at all. This is especially true if you’ve already failed and are worrying about failing again. You’ll need to push through that mindset if you want to achieve your goals.

15. “Failure is so important. We speak about success all the time. It is the ability to resist [it] or use [it] that often leads to greater success. I’ve met people who don’t want to try for fear of failing.”

– J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling knows a little something about failing. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was rejected by multiple publishers when she was still a single mom living on welfare. Did she give up? Did she throw away her manuscripts because some people behind a desk didn’t think that she was good enough? Imagine how different her life would be if she’d thrown in the towel.

16. “It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts.”

– Zig Ziglar

This is another one of our inspirational quotes that deals with perspective. It’s a “glass half empty” kind of mindset. Are you going to complain about the fall, or are you going to use the bounce to reach new heights and grasp new things? Can you turn a negative into a positive? There’s actually a science to it, so you won’t be alone in your efforts.

17. “I don’t believe in failure. It is not failing if you enjoyed the process.”

– Oprah Winfrey

Are you sure that your failures are actually failures? Did you have fun trying something new, or did you learn an important lesson that you can apply to future projects? Can you extract some meaning from the outcome? If so, you might not have failed at all.

Final Thoughts on Overcoming Failure

No one likes to experience failure, but only some people are willing to pick themselves back up and try again. It takes a positive attitude, a strong work ethic and a passion to live a better life. Do you have it? Can you do it? What’s in store for your future? What will tomorrow bring? Get up, dust yourself off and find out!

Science Reveals the Impact of Fast Food on Gut Health

November 29, 2019 by Power of Positivity

Fast food may have a greater effect on your gut health than you realize. Like most people, you probably already know that eating too much fast food or junk food is bad for you. The reasons are obvious. The extra calories can make you overweight, and overprocessed foods often have little nutritional value.

Of course, every cell in your body requires nourishment, and much of that nourishment comes from what you eat. Eating the wrong foods, or not enough of the right ones, can impede normal digestive processes. Additionally, you won’t feed your body the nutrition it needs. Therefore, maintaining optimum gut health has to be a priority. That might even mean ignoring some of your unhealthy food cravings.

Inside your gut, from your stomach to your colon, is a microbiome unique to yourself alone. This microbiome includes a plethora of bacteria that was established for you during your first few years of life. However, there are ways of maintaining and altering your gut environment for the better or worse.

Gut Health and Your Immune System

Researchers are learning more and more about how a host of microbiota in your GI tract not only assists with digestion, but they also help your body maintain its immune system against unfriendly bacteria, viruses, and diseases. Some of the issues a healthy gut can keep at bay include the following:

Heart disease
High cholesterol
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Diabetes
Migraines

Even some cancers have been linked to an unhealthy GI microbiome. Your gut maintains communication and chemical exchanges with systems throughout the body, so maintaining a healthy gut immune system is vital to combating infections and chronic illnesses of all kinds.

Attack of the fast food

Studies have shown that the immune system can begin to respond to the high fat and calorie content of fast food as to an attacking infection. Scientists believe an increased sensitivity and aggressive reaction to the presence of certain types of foods may lead to permanent changes in the way a person’s gut immune system works. These changes can lead to such conditions as diabetes or arteriosclerosis.

Take back your microbial army

But habitual fast-food junkies need not give up hope. By making healthy changes in diet, many hyperactive immune system issues can be brought under control or even normalized. But the immune system may stay on high alert, so if you return to a fast-food diet, your immune system will respond quickly to the perceived threat.

It’s never too late to begin a conscious effort to be the boss of your own diet, no matter how much junk food cravings may scream about it. But the good changes must be permanent if you hope to maintain balanced gut health and a strong immune system against the real bad guys, the infections and diseases that try to attack your body.

Unhealthy Food and Inflammation

Fast-food diets are known to be high in fat and low in fiber. Consuming too much of these foods disrupts gut health by throwing off your microbiome balance, reducing the number of good bacteria available to reduce inflammation. Too much ongoing inflammation increases your chances of developing such conditions as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

What foods to avoid

Unaddressed gut inflammation may result in the onset of Crohn’s Disease, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or even acute pancreatitis (AP). Some of the foods that may lead to inflammation are:

Added processed sugars
Trans fats
Vegetable and seed oils
Refined carbohydrates (have most of the fiber removed)
Too much alcohol
Processed meat (and yes, that includes bacon)

What foods to focus on

There’s no question that most of the above are available in abundance on any drive-thru menu board. IBS and other digestive health issues have been traced to allowing too many on-the-go convenience foods to dominate overall diet routines. However, many drive-thru menus also offer at least some healthy alternatives.

Careful grocery shopping will also provide you with many quick, healthy alternatives to help restore balance to your gut, reduce inflammation, and help take off extra weight. Choosing a salad over fries, water over soda, grilled chicken or fish over greasy, processed burgers, and nuts or fresh fruit instead of fatty, sugary treats is a good start toward reducing inflammation and restoring gut health.

Your children’s future fast food habits

Expectant mothers need to be especially cautious, as some studies show that a mother’s tastes can be passed on to her children, creating a generational struggle with unhealthy cravings and resultant health issues. Also, feeding children a healthy diet for the first few years of life can help set their taste for good food for a lifetime.

Controlling Metabolism Through Diet

Metabolism refers to how many calories your body burns and how well it performs that task. So having a slow metabolism can mean it’s much harder to lose unhealthy weight. Your body can often digest junk food more quickly than healthier foods, which means it uses fewer calories to perform those processes. That means you’ll have a lot more calories left over to be stored throughout the body as fat.

Junk food can also trigger the release of massive amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates pleasure in the brain. This can result in food addiction and a cycle of fast eating and slow digestion that ultimately leaves you feeling tired and sluggish.

Sugary sodas can be one of the worst culprits. Initially, they may give you a quick energy boost, but in the long run, sodas can slow down your metabolism overall, causing increased fat storage and increasing your chances of developing obesity, liver disease, heart disease, or metabolic syndrome.

Danger of Diet Soda

These issues are not limited to those who drink regularly sweetened drinks. Diet soda has also been shown to have negative effects on metabolic functions. Although switching to diet soda may seem to make a difference at first, studies show that these drinks can lead to weight gain over time.

Sugary sodas can also impede the growth of critical bacteria in your digestive tract, leading to poor gut health. This applies to both regular and diet sodas. So for healthy digestion and microbial balance, you’ll have to ditch the sodas, or at least severely limit them to special occasions.

The good news is there are many diet choices that can boost your metabolic rate. You can feel more energized, increase your endurance, and rev up calorie usage by choosing healthy foods over quicker, more gratifying ones.

Apples are a portable snack on the go. Learn more about their many benefits.

Fast Food Fever

If you know you eat more junk food than you should but you can’t see any major effects, it may be time to re-evaluate. A disruption in digestive health may not mean just GI problems. Some other symptoms of an unhealthy gut may include:

Acne
Dental issues
Shortness of breath
Headaches
Attention and concentration issues
Bloating or puffiness
Problems sleeping
Mood swings or depression

If you experience any of these issues on a regular basis, you may want to consider how your gut responds to what you feed it. Fast food fever is a very real problem, especially in western cultures. A failure to introduce the required amounts of vitamin and mineral nutrients into the digestive system can lead to a lifetime of chronic illness.

An imbalance in your microbiota can result in the shutting down, or at least the delaying, of your body’s early warning system for infections and diseases. It can cause the production of fewer white blood cells to fight invading bacteria and viruses, leaving you vulnerable to illness. It can also make you more prone to developing colon cancer or other deadly conditions.

A radical change in lifestyle and mindfulness may be required to reverse the ill-effects caused by years of heavy junk food consumption. For some, it may be akin to installing a whole new operating system on your PC. It’s a pain to learn, but your metabolism will run faster and more efficiently in the end.

Final Thoughts on the Link Between Fast Food and Gut Health

Diet and exercise are two of the main factors determining overall health. Learning what foods to eat and what to avoid can literally help you maintain a healthy gut. Each person has a unique microbiome and so there not necessarily a blanket diet that will satisfy every person’s needs.

Nutrition experts can help you determine not only what types of food will most benefit you, but the most advantageous methods of preparing them for maximum nutrient absorption, whether cooked or raw. Adding creative, healthy food choices will also make your eating experience more interesting and satisfying.

An occasional burger or fries will probably not have a huge effect on your overall health. The important goal is to encourage gut health by avoiding a diet saturated with fast food choices. It is up to you to take control of your diet priorities now so that you can live life to the fullest and share it for as long as possible with those you cherish.

Weekly tips, affirmations, and small actions to feel your best.

Additional free features at the shelter

A community effort to create this homeless shelter

How Amazon has helped Mary’s Place in the past

Final Thoughts on How a Corporate Giant and a City Will Work Together to Make This Homeless Shelter

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!